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Federal agents raided Thursday two houses owned by Baltimore mayor Catherine Pugh, as part of a multi-site raid that also included the city hall and was being held as part of the raid. ongoing investigation into the manna of selling a book of half a million dollars.
In addition, FBI and IRS agents searched the Maryland Center for Adult Training, where Pugh had previously run a non-profit professional training program with three of his associates; Pugh Lawyer's Office, Steven Silverman; and the home of Gary Brown Jr., a staff member from Pugh, reported the Baltimore Sun.
Agents carrying boxes were seen on Thursday morning when entering the scene, where pictures also showed them monitoring the field and taking pictures.
FBI spokesman Dave Fitz confirmed to reporters outside the Baltimore branch office that officers from the Washington field office had "executed court-authorized search warrants" in "the residences and homes." City Hall ". He clarified that he could not reveal any additional information because the search warrants were sealed.
Pugh's defense attorney did not immediately postpone Fox News's request for comment, and his spokesman, James Bentley, told the Associated Press that he had no immediate comment.
PROMOTION OF $ 500 BILLION OF BALTIMORE MAYOR ON BOOKS OF CHILDREN "HEALTHY HOLLY" STRETCH TO THE VOICE
The Democratic mayor, who is currently on leave, accused of pneumonia, has more and more calls for resignation after hearing that she would have received $ 500,000 from the University Medical System. Maryland for her children's book series "Healthy Holly", self-taught. .
UMMS reportedly paid Pugh 100,000 copies of its books between 2011 and 2018, while it was part of it, with the declared intention of distributing them to schools and daycares.
However, there are still about 50,000 copies and officials check if they have already been printed.
Pugh took an unlimited leave earlier this month, the same day, the Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, called for the opening of a criminal investigation into the sales agreement, lucrative but controversial. Five staff members from Pugh have since taken paid leave.
Over the following weeks, all members of the current municipal council, all members of the Maryland House of Delegates, the influential Grand Baltimore Committee and other influential Maryland leaders called on the Mayor to his first legislature to resign.
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE CALLS CATHERINE PUGH, READY TO COMBAT, TO IMMEDIATELY STOP
Pugh's communications team has announced plans to return to City Hall when it feels better, but declined to provide a schedule.
According to the city's prosecutor, Andre Davis, citing the state's constitution, only a conviction can result in the impeachment of the mayor of Baltimore. The Charter of the City of Baltimore, favorable to the mayor, currently offers no possibility of ousting his executive.
"The charter absolutely does not say how long leave can last, exactly what are the reasons for a holiday," Davis told reporters.
Pugh came to power at the end of 2016 after dismissing former mayor Sheila Dixon, who had spent much of his term fighting corruption before being forced to step down in 2010 in office. the framework of an advocacy agreement related to the diversion of about $ 500 in gift cards for needy families.
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Although the charges have certainly cast a veil over Pugh, she has not been charged with a crime and it is unclear exactly how long the current criminal investigation will take. Earlier this month, Silverman said the mayor was looking forward to cooperating with the Attorney General's probe and would provide "as much information as possible to put an end to this case".
If she returns and seeks re-election, it is almost certain that Pugh will face a deadly 2020 democrat. Many political observers who have asked him to withdraw, believe that Pugh will never be able to effectively control power because of the scandal.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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